NEWCASTLE are eyeing Paris St Germain fullback Jimmy Algerino in the event of Didier Domi heading back to France.

Algerino, 29, is also being linked with Middlesbrough. But the Magpies are in particular need of a left-back now that Domi appears to have burnt his boats at St James Park.

The young Frenchman can expect to be hit with a £30,000 fine when he eventually returns to the club.

But he failed to report for training again yesterday and was still believed to be out of the country last night. Domi, who is understood to have been staying with his mother in Paris, won't play at Derby tomorrow even if he goes down on his knees to apologise to boss Bobby Robson.

Domi has effectively ended his Newcastle career and the Geordies are seething over his behaviour. A swap deal plus cash for £1m-rated Algerino is a logical way out of the messy situation.

Former Monaco ace Algerino looks certain to leave PSG after being dropped by new boss Luis Fernandez.

But his contract is up in the summer and he could opt to leave then on a Bosman-type transfer.

Boro have also been alerted to the situation but with Keith O'Neill and Dean Gordon now fit, coach Terry Venables has cover.

Robson has been left in the lurch and will pray that Warren Barton and Andy Griffin stay injury-free during the hectic festive programme.

The Newcastle boss also has the problem of replacing suspended Gary Speed at Derby and will be tempted to restore Kieron Dyer to his usual midfield slot.

The more likely option however will be to play South American duo Cristian Bassedas and Clarence Acuna in tandem and release Dyer to play in the advanced role that has brought him goals in his last three games alongside Alan Shearer.

Meanwhile England Under 17 striker Michael Chopra has signed his first full-time contract with Newcastle in a deal that will tie him to the club until at least 2003.

Chopra, dubbed the new Alan Shearer, wants to follow in the footsteps of the former England skipper and is highly rated by boss Robson.

Chopra first joined United as an under-11 after being spotted playing for Montague and North Fenham Boys Club, and as a schoolboy, won representative honours at city, county and international levels. He is a graduate of the St James' Park School of Excellence and has scored 10 goals in nine games for the club's Under-17 side so far this season.